Moscow: US Claim on Chemical Attack in Syria is Invitation for Provocation by Terrorists

Russian Foreign Ministry warned on Wednesday the US of taking further measures in Syria in violation of the UN Charter, adding that allegations made by the White House that Syria could be preparing a chemical attack is as an “invitation” for terrorists and the so called “opposition” to launch a provocation using chemical weapons.

“We consider these new insinuations on the issue of weapons of mass destruction in the worst traditions of 2003 NATO intervention in Iraq to be nothing less than an invitation for terrorists, extremists and armed opposition in Syria to fabricate another mass provocation using chemical weapons,” the ministry said in a statement.

In the same context, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said US claims of new chemical attacks allegedly planned by the Syrian government are unsubstantiated, noting that these claims impede the efforts being made in Astana and Geneva to settle the crisis in Syria.

“These speculations are not backed up by anything. No one is putting forward any facts,” Gatilov said in a statement to Sputnik, adding that it would be unacceptable “if the goal is to aggravate tensions.”

“This complicates the negotiation process, negatively affects the efforts being made in Astana and Geneva,” he said.

Responding to a question about whether Moscow warns Washington against unilateral steps in Syria, Gatilov said that “we have always spoken about this, including with regard to their latest attacks on the Syrian armed forces.”

“There is no threat to US specialists from the Syrian armed forces, therefore these actions are provocative in nature,” he added.

On Monday, the White House press secretary Sean Spicer has claimed that US had evidence about preparing a new chemical attack in Syria, and promised that if it is implemented, the Syrian authorities will “pay a heavy price.”